EARLY AUTUMN IN KYOTO

Sans the snow and the white
Christmas dreamed of, the four seasons were completed in my journey abroad as a
traveler. I
celebrated my birthday in the Kansai Region of Japan in a too early autumn
season. Though not in full colors, the
chilly nights began to be felt and the autumn foliage surreptitiously
transforming manifested.

Kyoto is one of the most
visited cities of Japan’s Kansai Region.
And there I was lurking in the middle of the JR Kyoto Station following
disembarkation from the platform, now trying to figure the way out.

Japan Bullet Train - Shinkansen

With our unlimited 7-day JR
Pass, from Tokyo Station we rode the Shinkansen
(Japan Bullet Train) en route to Kyoto Station.
There were bento boxes available, thus, we placed our orders and ate
while on transit, which travel time took an approximate of four (4) hours. The bullet train is indeed cozy and it felt
like a flight on air – complete with service attendants and a clean toilet.

my bento box

bottling in Japan

the interiors of the bullet train

THE KYOTO STATION

The Kyoto Station was our
point of reference on all intended destinations. The station itself is a huge commercial place
with a mall adjacent to the platforms of the varied railway systems of Japan.

Great food finds and
souvenir shops surround the station as well not to mention the futuristic
interiors and architectural design it has.
With an organized and efficient railway system, the probability of being
lost is nil.

cake overload at one of the shops at Kyoto Station

Not far from the station – a
walking distance – is our transient abode.

PIECE HOSTEL KYOTO

the signage lights up at night when a visitor passes by

It was a relatively narrow
and clean alley that we have passed by with luggage in tow as we locate Piece
Hostel Kyoto. The dark alley lights up
at night through a sensor once a visitor passes. It is that safe and convenient living at the
said hostel.

entrance door

We were joined by a group of
tourists from Taiwan and Australia as we checked-in. At that moment, I knew we had the right
choice of accommodation, being popular for travelers of varied nationals. (click to check rates)

the receiving area

bar area

With a staff who can speak
English fluently and a part-timer who is a Filipino, all our worries and
queries are remedied hassle-free. And if
less-researched on what to do in Kyoto with all the directions, a map of
tourist attractions is posted at the main dining area next to the reception
area.

A spacious shower room
awaits guests at the ground floor while the toilets are situated at each floor
of the building, a common one as well.
Despite being communal, no predicaments can be raised as it is so
well-maintained and clean. A common
kitchen is likewise provided where the main dining hall is the best place to
mingle with co-travelers. A free
breakfast is included in the stay as well.

shower area

time to shower...

kitchen for all

mini-garden

Walking for miles in
discovering the city is truly tiresome albeit rewarding. Thus, recharging our energy for the next
days’ adventure is attainable with a very comfortable bed and thick sheets, not
to mention the effective air-conditioning system. I can even sleep the whole
day but wait – I’m in Japan! I have to keep moving (I remind myself.)

Living up to its slogan,
Piece Hostel indeed provides a minimum space for a comfortable sleep.

Kyoto has the distinction as
Rank 1 Best City in the World bestowed by Travel + Leisure magazine readers for
the year 2014. With such recognition, it
becomes even more fortunate for me that I would be able to discover why.

With a relatively laidback
lifestyle and more horticultural landscape, the picturesque autumn in Japan is
best experienced in Kyoto.

The UNESCO World Heritage
Sites of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji, Otsu
Cities) includes 17 locations in Kyoto.
Since it would definitely be impossible to visit all, (excuses to visit
again), then, only those nearest our vantage were paid a visit.

A temple, geisha district and a sacred mountain
shrine completed my introduction of what the city has to offer.

For almost every country
visited, a temple + UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription is a must in my
so-called itinerary. The vast compound
first visited harbors centuries-old wooden temples, a manicured garden, a pond
and the tallest pagoda in Japan.

the symbol of Kyoto

Though a place of worship,
this Buddhist Temple has received the attention of tourists, making it one of
the most visited temples in Japan.
Recognizing the historical and spiritual significance of Toji Temple,
UNESCO designated it as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” World
Heritage Site.

Under the clear blue skies
and the chilly weather, it was a leisurely walk discovering the temple grounds
and the temples itself. As a refresher,
the usual green tea flavored ice cream came handy as a shop offers such just
beside the admission booth.

The benches and the pond
nearby where turtles, ducks and koi swim provide a relaxing ambiance. It is from this vantage where the most
photographed five story pagoda is best captured on full autumn foliage. But in our case, since the season has just
begun, green leaves still dominate.

the tallest pagoda in Japan

The temple is situated at
the intersection of Omiya Street and Kujo Street, a walking distance from the
Kyoto Station (southwest).

mandatory solo picture at a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Hanamikoji Geisha District

Period films of Japan have
greatly been relayed through the presence of either a samurai or a geisha. The award winning film adaptation of the
novel Memoirs of a Geisha of the same title has featured how their life is and
how it has come about. With that,
viewers have been eyeing to see a real one in their lifetime.

We were lead to Hanamikoji
District through the information given by the staff of our hostel since all
temples are already closed then when we arrived at Kyoto.

Hanamikoji is one district
where sightings of a genuine geisha can be made. En route to the district, young girls dressed
in kimono appearing like geishas appear on our way but they too are tourists
like us.

The pavements of
the district were filled by automobiles and traffic was about to pile up. It would have been even more appealing as it
is if the street is closed to automobiles.
I even began to compare our very own Calle Crisologo in Vigan City,Philippines with the said street as they both speak of streets with cultural
significance.

I honestly don’t know how to
distinguish a geisha with that of an apprentice. But one thing is certain – they wear a full
white face make-up characteristic of maiko during special performance as
opposed to the tourists roaming around the vicinity appearing like one. That being said, I haven’t met one genuine
geisha.

a tea house

Tea houses dot the said
district and it is where the geishas make their special appearances, being the
traditional Japanese female entertainers who act as hostesses and whose skills
include performing various arts such as classical music, dance, games and even
conversation. The most expensive service
fees for geishas are definitely at this District. Thus, we can’t afford it. I have to be contented with the strolling and
travel photography part of my journey.

And back to the film,
Memoirs of a Geisha, did you know that one of the scenes was taken at our next featured destination?

Inari is the GOD of
rice. A shrine situated at the base of a
mountain is devoted to Inari. The site
is known for the thousands of torii
gates.

It was an unexpected
activity for me as recently I relatively abhorred trekking and climbing
mountains.From the JR Nara Line Inari
Station (5 minute ride from Kyoto Station), the main gate of the shrine is
visible. In what I suppose was a simple
picture taking at the gates, we moved further and further and reached a quite
high elevation. Perspiring as usual – it
was an involuntary morning exercise in my exhausted case until we decided to
discontinue the hike and have our brunch.
If not for the weather (early autumn) in Kyoto, I would have fainted due
to exhaustion. I need more exercise to
get used I think.

Torii paths towards the mountain

and the hike continues

fox sculpture at the main gate

the main gate

Kyoto is indeed a great city
to discover the rich culture of Japan and this is just an introduction as I
promise myself to be back in Japan with the full autumn foliage as my backdrop.

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About The Author

I am a CPA-lawyer by profession and a full-time wanderer. My tsinelas (slippers) have been my constant companion in my quest to discover the world we live in. No matter which part of the world I am, though oftentimes mistaken of a different nationality, I am always proud to wear my slippers, a mark of a Filipino wanderer.